1st time cruisers!
 

My husband and I are going on a Western Caribbean cuise in May. We have seen an itinerary from another couple who just got back from the same cruise. (Cozumel, Grand Caymen & Ocho Rio) There are so many things to do and so little time it seems. Can someone help me out and tell me what excursions we should do? HELP! We just want to see and do everything possible!

Hello! We are also going on our first cruise May 9, 2004 on Carnival Conquest. I have been doing research on excursions/reviews for at least six months. It will be myself, husband, 3yr old, my mom, my dad, and my grandmother 78yr. I don't know if you just want to see pretty beaches and relax (like we do) or be more adventurous. We are going to do the stingray city and snorkel coral gardens or barrier reef 2.5hr tour. I have heard so many good things about them on a lot of websites. They offer a refund if waters are to high to tender to cayman islands and are much cheaper than ship tour. Also, instead of 100 to 300 people on a boat, it will be more like 12 to 50 people. www.captainmarvins.com
In Cozumel, we really don't care to do much snorkeling (3yr old and 78yr old), so we are going to either go to Passion Island Tour w/Carnival. They have hammocks, open bar, food buffet, and some shops. They only let so many people on the island--to keep it not so crowded. Or we might do the Playa Del Sol beach, Playa De SanFrancisco beach, or Mr. Shanchos Beach. In Jamaica, we are either going to do the Doctors Cave Beach, Rose Hall Beach, or a day pass at Beaches Negril Resort. Hope this helps. Have fun.
Kimberley

Thank you so much for the help. Where did you do most of your research? Are there any sites you can suggest? We are travelling on May 15th and we will be on Carnival Triumph

Hello again! Here is a list of some sites:
www.cruisereviews.com
www.cruise-addicts.com
www.cruisebuggie.com
www.cruisediva.com
http://www.montego-bay-jamaica.com/a.../rosebeach.htm
http://www.playasol.com.mx/index.htm
http://www.visitmexico.com/destinati...c/s_roo/d_czm/
http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/beaches.html
www.cruisecritic.com
Hope this helps! It takes a while to read all those trip reports, but it is well worth it, especially the long ones that tell all about the ports. Just let me know if you need anything else. Are you cruising out of New Orleans? We are cruising out of New Orleans and are driving down, not flying.
Kimberley

I forgot a website. Heard she is very good and has all sorts of tours or you can make up one and they will supply the driving.
http://www.barrettadventures.com/page1.htm

The itinerary actually goes to Montego Bay, not Ocho Rios, but the above advice is right on: contact Carloyn Barrett and she will take very good care of you whatever you do. We enjoyed hiking up Mayfield Falls.

In Grand Cayman, do a stingray excursion with Nativeway Catamarans. Note that the water is shallow enough to stand, so you don't need to be much of a swimmer.

In Cozumel, take the tour of Tulum offered through the ship. (This involves catching two ferries, so it's a bit risky to do it on your own.)

Oh, and before you leave New Orleans, make sure you party on Bourbon Street Saturday night and have coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde on Sunday morning.

Cheers!

Thank you for the help. Our itinerary says that we go to Ocho Rio - I hope I am not disappointed as we have friends that live there.

We are going to fly out of Florida as we get a longer stay in Cozumel (8am - midnight) than if we were to leave out of New Orleans. Although I would love to see New Orleans!

I do want to do stingray city, although I have heard that it is very busy...I am sure in May things won't be that bad though...any thoughts?

We are travelling on the Carnival Triumph...have any of you taken that cruise?

Kimmier333 - Thanks for all of the great websites!

As "touristy" as it might be I suggest you consider doing the Dunns River Falls "climb" in Ocho Rios because it is fun and kinda unforgettable. Every time I go back there I tell myself I'm not going to do it again and every time I end up doing it again and not regretting it! And you might consider a visit to one of the local "gardens" such as Shaw Park. i would not bother with the "Fern Gully" or "Fern Valley" trip unless it is part of another excursion.
Beware of the folks trying to sell you drugs through the fence as you exit the port area; get ready for women wanting to braid your hair. Ocho Rios, like much of Jamaica is rather poor, economically, so the arrival of a cruise ship is a big event for these folks trying to make a living. Enjoy your day there.